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Saturday, April 20, 2013

Character Spotlight: Jem Carstairs

I struggled to pick a character to write about this week. I just didn’t know who I should spotlight. I couldn’t think of a character that I felt the need to gush about and fangirl over. I literally tried to come up with a character for hours, to the point where I was really frustrated. Then I got to thinking, well my last character spotlight was on Will Herondale, so it is only fair that I do Jem next right? So this week my character spotlight is on Jem Carstairs from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare. Beware of spoilers!

I think I should begin by saying that I wasn’t Jem’s number one fan in the beginning. See, I fell for Will, hard, in the first book. So naturally it was hard to look at Jem and not think about him getting in the way of Will and Tessa and all the things I had planned out in my head. However, it is impossible to hate Jem… it really is. So this book taught me something. Sometimes, a love triangle isn’t about teams and shipping and all those things. Sometimes it is about love… plain and simple. Why did I have to hate Jem? Just on the premise that he is not Will? That’s just dumb! I don’t have to hate one to like the other! Actually, I’m pretty sure Will would hate me if I hated Jem… so… there ya go.

Jem has not had it easy. Actually he has had it pretty hard. See, Jem is dying and he knows it and there really isn’t any way for him to stop it. Despite all of this, Jem continues to be strong. He continues to live his life to the fullest and kick demon ass along the way. Regardless of his own problems, he is always there for Will. I have said this before, but their relationship is absolutely and stunningly beautiful. Unconditional love at its very best. While I am talking about love, I should probably mention Tessa. Now this is coming from a Will fan… Jem absolutely adores Tessa! But here is the thing. I think when it comes down to the whole Will, Jem, Tessa triangle, neither one of those boys was willing to lose the other because they loved Tessa.

I also appreciate Jem’s quite humor, which I feel like gets overlooked a lot because of Will. Will may have the more nonsensical lines, but Jem has some very witty one liners. Actually, most of Will’s memorable moments come from interactions with Jem, where Jem says something just as funny but maybe not as ridiculous. I love his quite humor.

All in all, Jem is a wonderful character with a very big heart!

Favorite Jem Quotes: “Ah,” said a voice from the doorway, “having your annual ‘everyone thinks Will is a lunatic’ meeting, are you? “It’s biannual,” said Jem. “And no, this is not that meeting.” – Clockwork Prince

“Will’s voice dropped. “Everyone makes mistakes, Jem.” “Yes,” said Jem. “You just make more of them than most people.” “I —” “You hurt everyone,” said Jem. “Everyone whose life you touch.” “Not you,” Will whispered. “I hurt everyone but you. I never meant to hurt you.” Jem put his hands up, pressing his palms against his eyes. “Will —” “You can’t never forgive me,” Will said in disbelief, hearing the panic tinging his own voice. “I’d be —” “Alone?” Jem lowered his hand, but he was smiling now, crookedly. “And whose fault is that?” –Clockwork Prince

“I promise to charm the dickens out of him,' said Will, sitting up and readjusting his crushed hat. 'I shall charm him with such force that when I am done, he will be left lying limply on the ground, trying to remember his own name.' 'The man's eighty-nine', muttered Jem. 'He may well have the problem anyway.” –Clockwork Prince

“Our hearts, they need a mirror Tessa. We see our better selves in the eyes of those who love us.” –Clockwork Princess

Amazing spotlight, wifey-parabatai! You know I'm team WilJem. LOL. I just love both of those beautiful men! This is by far one of my favorite series, and I think I have fallen even more in love with it because of our discussions and all our swoons. The relationship between Will and Jem is so incredibly beautiful. They are very lucky to have each other... and I'm lucky to have YOU! *hugs*

Disclaimer

In accordance with the FTC Guidelines, I would like you all to know that all of the books I review are either purchased by myself, received as a gift, borrowed from a library, or received free from the author/publisher for review. No form of monetary compensation is involved.